Naomi Osaka Beats Serena Williams in Australian Open Semi-final

February 18, 2021
The GIST: The Australian Open women’s final is set, the men’s semis are underway and tennis history is about to be made. Crikey!
Sports NewsTennis
Naomi Osaka Beats Serena Williams in Australian Open Semi-finalNaomi Osaka Beats Serena Williams in Australian Open Semi-final
Source: Australian Open/Twitter

The GIST: The Australian Open women’s final is set, the men’s semis are underway and tennis history is about to be made. Crikey!

Women’s singles: After quickly defeating No. 10 seed Serena Williams in straight sets in last night’s should-have-been epic semifinal, No. 3 Naomi Osaka is just one victory away from winning back-to-back Grand Slams. Damn.

  • With the win, Osaka now has the 3-2 head-to-head edge over Williams and a ticket to Saturday’s final. Osaka will now face Jennifer Brady, who won the second semifinal over Karolina Muchová.

Men’s singles: Sunday’s men’s final is half set. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic (pronounced JOKE-OH-VITCH) beat his semifinal opponent and this year’s breakout star, Aslan Karatsev, early this morning, and should have a clear path to his 18th career Grand Slam without his biggest rival, Rafael Nadal — who lost a five-set stunner yesterday — in his way.

  • Djokovic will face tomorrow's semifinal winner, either No. 4 seed Daniil Medvedev or No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas (pronounced SIT-SEE-PAHSS).